Two powerful hurricanes have devastated the southeastern United States in a short time. Here are ways you can join our United Methodist response to these disasters.

JAMES DEATON
Content Editor

Editor’s note: Local annual conferences and resources are utilized first when a disaster occurs. Churches from Michigan are not to deploy people or to ship supplies directly to the impacted areas until a request comes to our Conference Disaster Response Co-coordinators, Rev. Kayla Roosa and Rev. Bob Miller. Learn more on our Disaster Response Ministry web page.

Hurricane Helene has caused unimaginable losses for much of the southeastern United States, including parts of Appalachia that are typically spared by such coastal storms. As of noon on Wednesday, October 9, over 230 people have lost their lives, and more are expected. It has become the deadliest storm to hit the contiguous United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

At the time of this article’s release, news reports show that Hurricane Milton is churning off the western coast of Florida and will make landfall sometime Wednesday night. It’s expected to be a Category 3 or 4 storm when it hits. The nation is reeling from back-to-back hurricanes.

The United Methodist Church has a long history of responding to disasters. Our connectional ministries, especially the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), are in those impacted areas, working with survivors to provide much-needed care and support.

A recent report on UMCOR’s website shows they are busy coordinating with affected annual conferences and supporting local relief efforts. So far, UMCOR has awarded solidarity grants to those annual conferences directly impacted by Hurricane Helene, including North Georgia, South Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Holston.

Those annual conferences are also preparing to bring in UMCOR-trained Early Response Teams (ERTs) “to support the removal of debris, tarping of roofs, and cleaning out of homes in hard-hit areas.” United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (VIM) teams will likely be sent in later for long-term rebuilding and restorative work in these areas.

Various supplies and disaster-related kits are also being prepared and shipped through UMCOR and Midwest Mission, our veteran partner in ministry.

Individuals and churches can join others and bring help and healing to our neighbors in the southeastern United States in several ways. The United Methodist Church’s connectional spirit is alive and well. You can participate in this life-giving work.

Pray

Pray for all those impacted by these storms. Pray for survivors who have experienced the loss of homes and loved ones. Pray for wisdom for those struggling to know what to do next. Pray for first responders as they brave the devastation. Pray for the long road to recovery that is ahead.

Give

Support UMCOR and their ongoing work through your financial gifts.

• • Give online through UMCOR’s secure giving platform. Donate now.
  • Mail a check payable to “Michigan Conference,” with “UMCOR US Disaster Response and Recovery, Advance #901670” in the memo. Send to Conference Ministry Shares - PO Box 72472 - Cleveland, OH 44192-0002. (Questions? Contact Katrina Hunter)

Gather

The Michigan Conference and UMCOR have partnered with Midwest Mission for many years to collect disaster-related supplies. Three permanent collection sites — Warren (Metro Detroit), Midland, and St. Joseph — are in Michigan. Please contact these sites directly to coordinate any supply drop-offs. (Note: Do not send clothes.)

• • Donate bottles of shampoo (12-19 oz) and heavy-duty (or contractor) trash bags. This is a critical need. Set up a time to drop them off at one of three Michigan drop-off sites:
    • Warren: First United Methodist Church (Metro Detroit), 586-264-4701
    • Jenkins Residence in Midland: 989-859-2035
    • Pathway Methodist Church in St. Joseph: 269-429-5962 or 269-429-3577
  • Assemble hygiene kits and coordinate a drop-off time at one of the three Michigan permanent collection sites (see locations and phone numbers above). Download the Disaster Relief Hygiene Kit Flyer.
  • Donate funds to allow Midwest Mission to purchase supplies in bulk to make hygiene kits, replenish supplies, and quickly and flexibly respond to requests they receive, including those from UMCOR. Donate now.

Train

Be trained to join an ERT or VIM team if called upon by annual conferences impacted by these storms. Teams must be trained and are only deployed if a request comes to our Conference Disaster Response Co-coordinators, Rev. Kayla Roosa and Rev. Bob Miller.

On Saturday, October 26, the Michigan Conference is hosting an event for people who wish to be trained to be qualified to join a team via one of these two programs. Saginaw: First UMC, 4790 Gratiot Rd., Saginaw, MI 48638, will host the day-long event. Bob Freysinger will lead the ERT training, and Jody Pratt will facilitate the VIM training. Both are Michigan Conference trainers with years of experience. Click to learn more about this training. Bob and Jody will discuss the current UMCOR response and how it impacts the deployment of any trained teams from Michigan.

Click the button below to download the registration form. Then, contact Jody Pratt at [email protected] or 616-292-4908 to let her know you intend to join them on October 26 at Saginaw: First UMC. The deadline to register for this combined training event is October 16, so contact her today.